Chicken Tortilla Soup

Happy May! In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I have crafted this comforting bowl of chicken tortilla soup that is featured in the May issue of The Gluten Free & More Magazine! It is packed with ingredients that come together to create a balanced, hearty, and colorful soup that is nourishing and can be enjoyed any time of the year.

The fresh veggies and seasonings provide depth of flavor, while the Parmesan crisps give a slight crunch with every bite.  Customizable toppings allow everyone to make the bowl exactly how they like it. It is sure to be a hit on your dinner table!

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finally chopped 

4 celery stalks, finely chopped

4 carrots, finely chopped

1 teaspoon of salt

5 cloves of garlic

1 jalapeno pepper

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander 

3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken breast or thighs

32 oz of chicken broth

1 28-oz can of whole tomatoes

½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

To save time, consider shredding a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. If starting with raw chicken, preheat the oven to 400° and place the chicken on a baking tray.  Cook until chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°.  Chicken can be shredded by hand, with two forks, or with a stand mixer. 

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and salt, and sauté for about 10 minutes, until soft. 

Stir in the chopped garlic, jalapeño, ground cumin, and ground coriander, and sauté for an additional few minutes. 

Pour the chicken broth and can of tomatoes into the pot.  Add the shredded chicken and, if needed, top with water to ensure the chicken and vegetables are fully submerged. Use a wooden spoon to break the whole tomatoes apart. 

Stir in the fresh chopped cilantro. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors. 

Customize your bowl of soup with optional toppings such as avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, crisp crackers, and a spritz of lime.

(Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free optional, Soy-free, Nut-free, Egg-free, Refined Sugar-free)

Serves 8-10